Tag Archives: Merit Theatre Company

October 16, 2025 · 5:04 pm

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE Runs Nov. 20-22

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 
Merit Theatre Company
Nov. 20-22
Anderson Center Theatre [Anderson Township]

Directed by Rachel Cobbs
Produced by Benjamin & Kaitlyn Iocco

Official cast list |

George Bailey had great plans for his future with new wife, Mary.  When unforeseen circumstances upend his dreams, he struggles to redefine what it means to lead a meaningful life.

  • Thu-Fri, Nov. 20-21 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Nov. 22 at 2pm & 7:30pm

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September 22, 2025 · 6:02 pm

Cast Announced for IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE at Merit Theatre Company

Announcing the cast of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, running November 20–22!

Tickets are already selling fast for this heartwarming play adaptation of the classic film. Get yours while you still can to see our wonderful cast bring the beloved story of George Bailey and Bedford Falls to life.  www.merittheatre.org

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Directed by Rachel Cobbs

  • GEORGE BAILEY—Ben Iocco
  • CLARENCE ODBODY—Hunter Muse
  • MR. GOWER—Dave Nell
  • YOUNG GEORGE—Isaac Adamson
  • HARRY BAILEY—Gregg Farrier
  • MOTHER BAILEY—Rhonda Hanneken
  • UNCLE BILLY—Matt Dentino
  • AUNT TILLY—Arlene Balczo
  • MARY HATCH—Kaitlyn Iocco
  • MRS. HATCH/MISS CARTER—Sandy Schlueter
  • HENRY F. POTTER —Jeff Carter
  • MR. POTTER’S SECRETARY—Noah Steffen
  • MR. POTTER’S GOON —Larry Fritz
  • PETE BAILEY—Emmett Heubach
  • JANIE BAILEY—Anna Manion
  • TOMMY BAILEY—Luke Buchanan
  • ZUZU BAILEY—Luana Muse
  • VIOLET PETERSON—Helen Mariah Murdoch
  • ERNIE—Beau Heubach
  • BERT—Phil Nelson
  • MRS. THOMPSON —Tiffany Adamson
  • MISS ANDREWS—Rebecca Wiesmann
  • MR. WELCH—Dan Schindler
  • NEWSPAPER BOY—Joseph Manion
  • SAM WAINWRIGHT—Levi Sherman
  • ENSEMBLE—Alex Fritz, Caleb Fritz, Evelyn Heubach, Clarissa Rhinehart, Kaitlyn Rhinehart

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July 31, 2025 · 4:57 pm

BRIGHT STAR Runs Aug. 22-30

BRIGHT STAR
Merit Theatre Company
Aug. 22-30
Anderson Center [Anderson Township]

Directed & produced by Benjamin & Kaitlyn Iocco

Cast: Megan Dendler Johnson as Alice Murphy, Daniel Gnau as Billy Cane, Mike Yarick as Jimmy Ray Dobbs, Rachel Cobbs as Margo Crawford, Arnie Forman as Daddy Cane, Forrest Fairley as Mayor Dobbs, Rachel Mabry as Mama Murphy, Nathan Mabry as Daddy Murphy, Sam Parker as Daryl Ames, Allison Syvertsen as Lucy Grant, Adam Leigh as Dr. Norquist, Dakara Cooper as Edna, Sienna Glaze as Florence, Sylas Craven as Max & Karen Wiebe as Government Clerk
Ensemble: Corinne Baumann, Olivia Barthauer, Dakara Cooper, Sylas Craven, Marley Davis, Elena Escamilla, Sienna Glaze, Blake Heubach, Adam Leigh, Elizabeth Lightner, Max McDaniel, Sam Parker, Josephine Shaut, Noah Steffen, Allison Syvertsen, Gwen Uhlenbrock & Karen Wiebe
Youth Ensemble: Izzy Ashley, Jonah Hayley, Evelyn Heubach, Anna Manion & Joseph Manion

Set in the American South in the 1920s and 1940s, Bright Star tells a powerful story of love, loss, and redemption with a live bluegrass band and vibrant cast of characters. BRIGHT STAR is a heartwarming and uplifting musical suitable for most audiences, but it does include some mature plot elements. These include an unplanned pregnancy, some alcohol use, and a moment of intense action involving a baby. Nothing graphic is shown onstage, and the show ultimately centers on themes of hope, love, and redemption. Parents may wish to use discretion for younger children.

  • Fri, Aug. 22 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Aug. 23 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 24 at 3pm
  • Wed-Fri, Aug. 27-29 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Aug. 30 at 2pm

Official page |

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June 26, 2025 · 5:38 pm

2024-2025 Orchid Awards for Merit Theatre

OLIVER! the Musical

  • Excellence in Costume Design – Benjamin & Kaitlyn Iocco
  • Excellence in Direction – Benjamin & Kaitlyn Iocco
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Sam Level
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Matt Dentino
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Phil Nelson
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Marley Davis
  • Excellence in Set Design – Benjamin Iocco
  • Excellence in Stage Combat – Chelsea Russell
  • Excellence in Stage Management – Em Knudten
  • Excellence in Vocal Direction – Angie Baker
  • Excellence in Choreography – Haley Haskin
  • Excellence in Dialect Coaching – Kate Glasheen-Dentino
  • Excellence in Ensemble – The Cast of ‘Oliver! The Musical’
  • Excellence in Hair/Wigs – Jerica Henline
  • Excellence in Lighting Design – Carter Perry
  • Excellence in Lighting Execution – Carter Perry
  • Excellence in Make-Up – Doug & Cathy Henderson, Heather Lacey, Moriah Lawson, and Erin Level
  • Excellence in Musical Direction – Angie Baker & Benjamin Price
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Geri Campbell
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Adria Whitfill
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Corinne Baumann
  • Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance – Jeff Carter
  • Excellence in Orchestral Performance – Benjamin Price & Orchestra
  • Excellence in Other – Gayle Spjut for Costume Management
  • Excellence in Producing – Benjamin & Kaitlyn Iocco
  • Excellence in Program Art – Benjamin Iocco & Eric Dean
  • Excellence in Properties – Rachel Cobbs, Benjamin Iocco, and Kaitlyn Iocco
  • Excellence in Set Construction – Matt Dentino, John Dorney, Jeff Hanneken, Doug Henderson, Brad Hunkler, Benjamin Iocco, Gordon Iocco, Jessie Pie, and Steve Rawlings
  • Excellence in Set Décor – Benjamin Iocco
  • Excellence in Sound Design – Aaron Brueckman
  • Excellence in Dance Execution – The Cast of ‘Oliver! The Musical’

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April 9, 2025 · 3:27 pm

Auditions Announced for BRIGHT STAR at Merit Theatre Company

MERIT THEATRE COMPANY & ORCHESTRA PRESENTS BRIGHT STAR
Music, Book & Story by Steve Martin
Music, Lyrics & Story by Edie Brickell
Produced & Directed by Benjamin & Kaitlyn Iocco

Inspired by true events, Bright Star is a sweeping musical set in the American South in the 1920s and 40s. With a vibrant cast of characters and lively bluegrass score, Bright Star tells a touching story of love, loss, and redemption.

Casting actors of all ages.

AUDITIONS

  • Friday, May 9, 7:00–9:30 PM
  • Saturday, May 10, 2:00–5:00 PM

Fort Mitchell Baptist Church
2323 Dixie Hwy, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017

By appointment only. Sign up for an audition slot at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4EACAC2BA2F49-55289227-bright#/.
Also accepting video auditions (due May 10 by 5:00 PM).

Please prepare:

  • A 60-second monologue with Southern dialect in the style of the show.
  • 32 bars of a bluegrass, folk, or musical theatre song in the style of the show that best showcases your vocal ability.

When selecting your monologue and song, choose contrasting pieces that showcase your range.

Actors will also participate in a short dance call as part of the audition process. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can move in.

Please bring:

  • Sheet music in the correct key with cuts marked. An accompanist will be provided. No a cappella or accompaniment tracks (except for video auditions).
  • An acting résumé, headshot, and completed audition form.

For video auditions: Follow the same requirements above and film your audition. Please ensure that you capture a full body shot to showcase your movement, range, and physicality. Upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo and email the link to production@merittheatre.org. Attach your résumé, headshot, and completed audition form to the email. Video auditions may use an accompaniment track. Audition videos are due by May 10 at 5:00 PM.

Callbacks (invitation only): Monday, May 12, at 7:00 PM

Auditions and callbacks will be held at Fort Mitchell Baptist Church (2323 Dixie Hwy, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017).

Rehearsals will be held in Northern Kentucky on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday or Saturday (TBD) evenings beginning June 16. Tech week rehearsals begin August 17.

PERFORMANCES
Anderson Center Theater
7850 Five Mile Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45230

August 22 at 7:30 PM
August 23 at 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
August 24 at 3:00 PM
August 27 at 7:30 PM
August 28 at 7:30 PM
August 29 at 7:30 PM
August 30 at 2:00 PM

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

  • Alice Murphy (20s–30s) – An intelligent, spirited, vibrant literary editor with a tragic past. Must be able to believably portray both her younger (teenage) and older (mid-30s) self. She must be a very strong singer and comfortable in folk and bluegrass styles. Strong belt/mix. (G3–C5)
  • Billy Cane (20s) – A hopeful young writer returning from WWII. Fresh, open, optimistic, charming, and a little naïve. (C3–A4)
  • Jimmy Ray Dobbs (20s–30s) – A charismatic, privileged man from a powerful family. He is charming, confident, and intelligent, with a great sense of personal responsibility and morality as well as a deep reserve of passion and emotion. Must be able to believably portray both his younger (teenage) and older (30s–40s) self. (C3–A4)
  • Margo Crawford (20s) – Sweet and sincere, she is a bookstore owner and Billy’s childhood friend with romantic feelings towards him. (B3–E5)
  • Mayor Josiah Dobbs (40s–60s) – Jimmy Ray’s stern, controlling father and the mayor of Zebulon. He is a distinguished political and financial powerbroker with an imposing and controlling presence. He has a genuine interest in protecting his son’s future and his family name, but in doing so, is ultimately pushed to a point of extreme and irrevocable cruelty. (A2–G4)
  • Mama Murphy (40s–50s) – Alice’s caring, sensible mother. (G3–C5)
  • Daddy Murphy (40s–50s) – Alice’s father, hardworking but emotionally distant. He is an authoritative and stern disciplinarian; a poor but proud farmer. (A2–G4)
  • Daryl Ames (30s–40s) – A witty, sarcastic assistant at Alice’s publishing house. Strong comedic timing required. (C3–E4)
  • Lucy Grant (20s–30s) – A junior editor at Alice’s publishing house, she is spunky, confident, and ambitious with a sharp sense of humor. (B3–D5)
  • Stanford Adams (40s–60s) – A publisher and Alice’s boss. Wise and kind. (A2–D4)
  • Dr. Norquist (40s–60s) – The town doctor. (Non-singing)
  • Government Clerk (30s–60s) – A small but important role. (Non-singing)
  • Ensemble (all ages) – Will play a vital role in bringing Bright Star to life, actively participating in storytelling with vocal harmonies, dynamic movement, and lots of energy and interaction.

Bright Star is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com

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